Letter: Maturo disability pension was terminated

As state comptroller, I administer the Municipal Employee Retirement System (MERS), so I would like to thank you for raising a valid question about Mr. Maturo's disability pension.

To receive a disability retirement under MERS, an individual must be permanently and totally disabled from engaging in any full-time gainful employment in the service of the municipality.

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Shortly after taking office last year, I notified all MERS disability recipients of the legal restrictions against working full time while simultaneously collecting a retirement disability benefit. Mr. Maturo was among those notified several times before he was elected.

When Mr. Maturo became mayor this past November, I determined that he did not meet the requirements to continue receiving his disability pension and it was terminated accordingly.

I am as concerned as you are about the integrity of pension funds. Moving forward, I will continue to take steps to ensure that all disability retirement recipients are aware of these clear requirements and that they are enforced.